J. H. Osborne

BLOUNTVILLE — Sullivan County commissioners are being asked to push for new, lengthier campaign boundaries at polling places during early voting.

Candidates and their supporters are prohibited from coming within 100 feet of polling places during any voting period — early or on election day.

A proposal up for a vote by the Sullivan County Commission seeks to ask the state to allow Sullivan County to quadruple that boundary to 400 feet during early voting.

Proponents say the move would keep voters from being forced to run what can often seem like a gantlet to cast their ballot. Supporters also say the proposal would improve parking for voters because those using spots for campaigning would be pushed back.

The parking issue would also make it less of an imposition on people using voting locations for other, everyday purposes during the voting period, according to the proposal.